2004-08-13 Police Commission Minutes

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Hawaii Police Commission Regular Session Minutes August 13, 2004 Page 7 • Correspondence 04 -42, copy of letter from Commissioner Paul de Silva to Mayor Kim giving his opinion relating to the possible settlement of the police union's complaint filed with the HLRB on March 17, 2004. No discussion. • Recommendations for Improvement to the Disciplinary System of the Hawaii County Police Department. Commissioner de Silva stated that he is concerned because they started work on this last year, and nothing has happened. In March, Mr. Ashida made pertinent comments. Vice Chair Manago stated that each member of the commission must look very carefully at the revised rules and Corporation Counsel's recommendations. They need to go over it very thoroughly along with the original rules. He wants everyone to know what he or she is voting on because this will affect all of them. Vice Chair Manago reported that he had a conversation with the Chief regarding complaints. Right now, they get a complaint, they sustain it, it goes to the Chief or Internal Affairs, but they don't know what happens to the complaint. It actually dies. There is no full circle. He asked the Chief if the commission would be able to get the disposition and disciplinary findings of each case. He has seen this in the minutes of the Honolulu Police Commission. The Chief will discuss this with Corporation Counsel. Commissioner de Silva stated that that is what they have tried for months and finally came up with an answer, and that's where they are now. For Vice Chair Manago to talk to the Chief and suggest that he do certain things is not what the commission may think. He asked if they should have a special meeting. Commissioner Bertsch suggested that they have an ad hoc committee meeting and invite anyone that wants to attend. They've been talking about this since November of last year, and they're just generating more paperwork. Commission de Silva motioned that they have a special meeting of the entire commission to discuss both the recommendations to the Chief and the rule changes. Commissioner Frazier seconded the motion. Discussion: Commissioner Bertsch stated that, as a point of reference, an ad hoc committee could sit down collectively anytime without publicizing and going through the normal procedure of a special meeting. They might have more liberty to schedule a meeting. Commissioner de Silva stated that if they have a choice between their own convenience and letting the public know what they are doing, the latter is far more important. He prefers having people present under the Sunshine Law.